Australia set South Africa target of 430 runs to win

Adelaide: Australia have set South Africa a mammoth 430-run target for victory in the second test after declaring at 267-8 after lunch on the fourth day on Sunday.

The highest successful fourth innings run-chase at Adelaide Oval was 315 by the hosts in 1902 against England.

Matt Wade and fast bowler James Pattinson resumed after lunch with Australia on 206-7, adding 14 runs before the wicketkeeper batsman edged a catch to AB de Villiers.

Ben Hilfenhaus and Pattinson added another 47 runs in a swashbuckling stand before Australia captain Michael Clarke called them in halfway through the session.

AP

Tasmanian workhorse Hilfenhaus plundered Rory Kleinveldt for three fours in an over, a deserving response to some wayward bowling from the South African paceman.

Pattinson joined in, punching two boundaries in consecutive balls through the covers to leave Dale Steyn fuming.

Pattinson was on 29 and Hilfenhaus 18 at the declaration.

Mike Hussey had earlier scored a watchful half-century to push Australia's lead to 368 runs at lunch.

Hussey and Clarke, who combined for a demoralising 272-partnership in the first innings, frustrated the tourists again as they added another 62 runs to the overnight total of 111-5.

Backing up two consecutive test double-centuries, Clarke's spectacular run of form was ended on 38 by Dale Steyn, who trapped the Australian captain in front to break the sixth wicket partnership at 70 runs.

Hussey, with two consecutive centuries in his previous innings, was out for 54, caught at short-midwicket by Steyn off the bowling of paceman Morne Morkel.

South Africa had raised the possibility an unlikely victory at the close of day three, after tearing through Australia's batsmen with five wickets after tea, but needed quick wickets in the morning to maintain their faint hopes.

Clarke and Hussey gave them few opportunities, however, with South Africa's pace trio of Steyn, Rory Kleinveldt and Morkel asking few questions on a slowly deteriorating pitch on a hot day at Adelaide Oval.

After Clarke's dismissal, confirmed on video review after the Australian captain referred it, Kleinveldt had a big appeal for lbw on Wade turned down.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith referred the decision, more out of desperation than logic, but the video review projected the ball flying well over the stumps.

Hussey, in white-hot form after centuries in his previous two innings, blasted a cut-shot to the fence off Kleinveldt to raise his half-century, but was out soon after, skying a simple catch to Steyn just before lunch.